Rotary fluid apparatus



April 8, 1969 J. w. GOODWYN ROTARY FLUID APPARATUS INVENTOR. 10/717 14/. 'ooa/w gn Filed April 4, 1967 April 8, 1969 J. w. GOODWYN 3,437,009

ROTARY FLUID APPARATUS Filed April 4, 1967 Sheet Z of 2 16/2? v K44 7 4 i1 Z Z 15 4 7 u? g 26 32 Q S 2 Q 49 Q z/wbs mii QM; 24

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v k go 64/ Godly/2 nit 3,437,009 ROTARY FLUID APPARATUS John W. Goodwyn, 4059 Cliff Road, Birmingham, Ala. 35222 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 500,659, Oct. 22, 1965. This application Apr. 4, 1967, Ser. No. 634,401

Int. Cl. F01c 1/04, 21/12 US. Cl. 91-70 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This application is a continuation-in-part application of my copending application Ser. No. 500,659, filed Oct. 22, 1965 and entitled Rotary Fluid Apparatus, now abandoned.

This invention relates to rotary fluid apparatus and more particularly to such apparatus which may be operated either as a fluid compressor or as a fluid motor.

An object of my invention is to provide rotary fluid apparatus of the character designated which shall embody a stator mounted non-rotatably on a supporting frame with a floating cylinder surrounding the stator and adapted for radial movement relative thereto, together with a rotor mounted for concentric rotation about the stator and having an inner eccentric surface surrounding the floating cylinder to move the floating cylinder relative to the stator upon rotation of the rotor.

A more specific object of my invention is to provide rotary fluid apparatus of the character designated which shall have angularly spaced, radially reciprocating blades carried by the stator and defining with the stator and the floating cylinder surrounding the same a plurality of angularly spaced fluid receiving compartments, there being inlet and outlet passageways through the stator to establish communication with the compartments as the rotor revolves.

Another object of my invention is to provide rotary fluid apparatus of the character designated which shall be positive and eflicient in operation and one in which there is a minimum of frictional engagement between the blades and the components adjacent thereto.

A further object of my invention is to provide rotary fluid apparatus of the character designated in which there is substantially no flow-by between the intake and exhaust of the fluid.

A still further object of my invention is to provide rotary fluid apparatus of the character designated which shall be simple of construction, economical of manufacture and which is compact with the assembly of a minimum number of parts.

Apparatus embodying features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view through the rotary fluid apparatus;

atent O FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing the positions of the annular member portion of the floating cylinder relative to the stator and the rotor as the rotor is rotated;

FIG. 5 is a fragmental view taken generally along the line 55 of FIG. 1; and,

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic side elevational view showing a modified form of my invention.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of my invention, I show a supporting frame 10. A spindle 11 is secured rigidly to the supporting frame 10 whereby the spindle remains stationary. Formed integrally with or mounted non-rotatably on the spindle 11 is a stator indicated generally at 12. As shown in FIG. 1, the stator 12 is in the form of a generally annular member having a plurality of angularly spaced, radially extending inlet passageways 13 therethrough. Also, a plurality of angularly spaced, radially extending outlet passageways 14 are provided through the stator 12 in axially spaced relation to the inlet passageways 13. That is, there is an outlet passageway 14 opposite each inlet passageway 13 and spaced axially therefrom, as shown in FIG. 2. An axially extending passageway 16 is provided in the spindle 11 at the side of the stator 12 adjacent the passageways 13, as shown in FIG. 2. The axially extending passageway 16 thus communicates with the inlet passageways 13 whereby fluid is supplied thereto. In like manner, an axially extending passageway 17 is provided in the spindle 11 at the side of the stator adjacent the outlet pas sageways 14. The axially extending passageway 17 thus communicates with the outlet passageways 14- to exhaust fluids. While I have shown the fluid as passing through the spindle 11 at opposite sides of the stator 12, since the spindle and stator are both stationary, the fluid could be introduced at one side only by providing suitable conduits at either side of the stator 12 in a manner well understood in the art.

Check valves 18 are provided in each of the inlet pas sageways 13 to permit flow of fluid from the passageway 16 inwardly through the passageways 13 and prevent backflow of fluid through the passageways 13 to the passageway 16. Check valves 19 are provided in each of the outlet passageways 14 to permit passage of fluids outwardly of the passageways 14 into the axially extending passageway 17. The check valves 19 also prevent backflow of fluids from the passageway 17 through the passageways 14.

Surrounding the stator 12 and adapted for radial movement relative thereto is a floating cylinder 21 comprising an annular member 22 which surrounds the stator 12 and radially extending side members 23 which are secured rigidly to the annular member 22 by suitable means, such as bolts 24. The side members 23 engage the outer sides of the stator 12 with a sliding fit to provide a nearly fluidtight fit therebetween. To provide a fluid-tight unit, annular seals, such as O-rings 25, may be provided between each side member 23 and the adjacent surface of the stator 12 and/ or annular flexible seals 26 may be provided between inner portions of the side members 23 and adjacent portions of the stationary spindle 11 of the stator 12.

Outwardly opening, radially extending slots 27 are pro- 3 vided in the stator 12. As shown in FIG. 1, the slots '27 extend transversely of the stator 12 and are angularly spaced whereby the slots are positioned between the passageways 13 and 14. Mounted for sliding movement in each of the slots 27 is a radially extending blade 28. Suitable means, such as a compression spring 29 is interposed between the inner end of each radially extending blade 28 and the bottom of the slot carrying the blade whereby the blade is urged outwardly into engagement with the inner surface of the floating cylinder 21. The radially extending blades 28 thus define with the stator and the floating cylinder 21 a plurality of angularly spaced fluid receiving compartments 31.

Mounted for concentric rotation about the spindle 11 of the stator 12 is a rotor indicated generally at 32. Suitble bearings 33 are interposed between the spindle 11 and the rotor 32, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The rotor 32 is provided with an annular casing 34 having an inner eccentric surface 36 surrounding the floating cylinder 21 to move the floating cylinder relative to the stator upon rotation of the rotor 32. Suitable bearing elements 37 are interposed between the floating cylinder 21 and the inner eccentric surface 36 of the rotor, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Rotary motion is imparted to the rotor 34 by suitable means, such as a belt 38 which is in driving engagement with the annular casing 34, as shown. As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the outer surface of the stator 12 is round and is divided into segments which extend between adjacent blades 28.

In FIG. 6 of the drawings, I show a modified form of my invention in which armature elements 39 are carried by the rotor 32 and field windings 41 surround the armature whereby the rotor 32 is the armature of an electric motor. That is, the rotor 32 and the remainder of the apparatus inwardly thereof is identical to that shown in FIGS. 1 through 5. By providing the windings of an electric motor about the rotor the apparatus could be employed as a compressor while the driving motor therefor surrounds the compressor and takes up a minimum of space.

From the foregoing description, the operation of my improved apparatus will be readily understood. The apparatus may be employed as a fluid compressor or fluid motor. Where the apparatus is employed as a compressor, the rotor 32 is driven by the belt 38 whereupon the inner eccentric surface 36 of the rotor 32 causes the floating cylinder 21 to move relative to the stator 12. In FIG. 4 of the drawings, I show diagrammatically the various positions that the floating cylinder 21 assumes relative to the stator 12 as the rotor 32 rotates. The solid line position shows the floating cylinder 21 in the position shown in FIG. 1. The dotted line position A shows the position of the floating cylinder 21 after the rotor 32 has rotated 90 from the position shown in FIG. 1. The position B in FIG. 4 shows the floating cylinder 21 in the position that it assumes upon rotation of the rotor 32 180 from the position shown in FIG. 1. It will thus be seen that upon rotation of the rotor 32, the compartments 31 increase in area and then decrease in area, as clearly shown in FIG. 1, whereupon fluid is continuously drawn inwardly of the axially extending passageway 16 through the inlet passageways 13 into the compartments 31 whereupon the fluid is then forced outwardly through the outlet openings 14 and the axially extending passageway 17.

It will be apparent that where the apparatus is employed as a motor, fluid under pressure will be introduced through the axially extending passageway 16 by a change in the valving in a manner well understood in the art.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have devised improved rotary fluid apparatus. By providing a free floating cylinder 21 which is adapted to move radially relative to a stator 12 upon rotation of a rotor which surrounds the floating cylinder, I provide a compact unit which is eflicient in operation. Furthermore, by providing a compact rotary fluid unit which is adapted to be mounted wholly within the confines of the windings of an electric motor, my improved apparatus take up a minimum of space. It will also be apparent that the loss of the sealing ability of one or more of the several impeller blades 28 would not prevent further operation of my improved apparatus in an eflicient manner provided the sealing ability of at least two of the impeller blades is maintained and these two blades are angularly adjacent to form at least one fluid receiving compartment 31.

Furthermore, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art, friction and wear of the blade is greatly reduced. For example, with a stator 6 inches in diameter and a floating annular member having an inside diameter of 7 inches, there would be a 2 inch travel of the contact edge of the blade against the inner surface of the floating, annular member during one cycle of operation. On the other hand, with a conventional rotary type compressor, the travel would be approximately 22 inches during one cycle of operation.

While I have shown my invention in two forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

What I claim is:

1. Rotary fluid apparatus comprising:

(a) a supporting frame,

(b) a stationary stator mounted on said frame and having a generally round outer surface,

(c) a floating annular member surrounding said stator and adapted for radial movement relative to said outer surface of the stator,

(d) inwardly extending side members carried by said floating annular member adjacent the sides of said stator,

(e) sealing means defining a substantially fluid-tight seal between said side members and said stator,

(f) a rotor mounted for concentric rotation about said stator and having an inner eccentric surface surrounding said floating annular member to move said floating annular member relative to the stator upon rotation of the rotor,

(g) a plurality angularly spaced, reciprocating blades carried by said stationary stator and defining with said stator, said floating annular member and said side members a plurality of angularly spaced fluid receiving compartments,

(h) there being inlet and outlet passageways into said stationary stator establishing communication with said compartments as said rotor revolves about said stationary stator, and

(i) check valves in said stationary stator controlling the flow of fluid through said passageways.

2. Rotary fluid apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which the stationary stator comprises:

(a) a stator member secured non-rotatably to at least one stationary spindle,

(b) there being a plurality of angularly spaced, radially extending inlet passageways through said stator member in communication with said fluid receiving compartments,

(c) there being a first passageway in said spindle in communication with said inlet passageways,

((1) there being a plurality of angularly spaced, radial- 1y extending outlet passageways through said stator member in communication with said fluid receiving compartments, and

(e) there being a second passageway in said spindle in communication with said outlet passageways.

3. Rotary fluid apparatus as defined in claim 2 in which outwardly opening, radially extending slots are provided in said stator intermediate said passageways to receive said blades with a sliding fit and means is provided to urge said blades outwardly into engagement with the inner surface of said floating, annular member.

4. Rotary fluid apparatus as defined in claim 3 in which the means to urge said blades outwardly comprises spring member interposed between said blades and the bottoms of said slots.

5. Rotary fluid apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which the side members carried by said floating annular member are in position to engage said stator and said blades with a sliding fit to provide a fluid-tight seal therebetween.

6. Rotary fiuid apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which flexible seal elements are carried by inner portions of said side members in position to engage the stator.

7. Rotary fluid apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which bearing elements are mounted between the outer surface of said floating annular member and the inner eccentric surface of said rotor.

8. Rotary fluid apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said rotor is rotatably supported by said stator and bearing elements are mounted between said rotor and said stator.

9. Rotary fluid apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which the rotor is the armature of an electric motor and field windings surround said armature.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,594,132 7/1926 Stewart 103-121 1,819,689 8/1931 Off 103-121 X 2,100,014 11/1937 McCracken 230-140 X 2,380,819 7/1945 Allbaugh 103-121 2,504,841 4/1950 Jones 230-140 X 2,898,032 8/1959 Katzcnberger 230-140 X 3,157,350 11/1964 Fraser 230-140 3,186,347 6/1965 Eickmann 103-121 FOREIGN PATENTS 724,540 2/ 1955 Great Britain.

EVERETTE A. POWELL, ]R., Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 9195,103, 121; 103-121 

